Polymorphic is a bench that fulfills multiple different functions, taking different forms, and also morphing to different arrangements of users.  It encourages interaction among people through the see-saw like design of each section.  It’s awesome, in terms of catalyzing social interaction away from things like Facebook and into our everyday life, but it seems like there could have been other ways to cooperate on the bench, besides who goes up and who goes down.  What do you think of the overall project?

STUDENTS: Charlie Able, Alexis Burson, Ivy Chan, Jennifer Chang, Aaron Harris, Trevor
Hollyn-Taub, Brian Lee, Eliza Montgomery, Vernon Roether, and David Zhai
SCHOOL: Columbia GSAPP
PROFESSOR: Brigette Borders and Mark Bearak
YEAR: Spring 2011

Polymorphic is a kinetic installation utilizing an innovative design and engineering solution inspired by the simple kinetic action of a see-saw and the reverberating motion of a Slinky. The design is comprised of a double-sided bench which transforms through a series of 119 unique and interconnected sections into a chaise lounge and finally an interactive balance board. These sections are connected via an inventive pivot and bolt system which allows the vertical movement of one section to be picked up by others down the line. Together, this motion allows the installation to transform from a series of leveled sections into an undulating form activated through interaction with its occupants.

While the overall form of the bench is realized as a continuous landscape, each seating condition was designed according to existing ergonomic profiles in order to maximize comfort and functionality. This is further realized by allowing the tolerance of its motion to conform to the postures of the occupants using simply their weight as a point of activation for the movement of the sections. Furthermore, a series of internal notches linked together by elastic bands and reinforced by couplings located on the central pivot rods prevent lateral movement and ensures safety during motion.

At its core, the design of the installation is not only an inventive solution to a design idea, but also a test of the limits and capabilities of digital fabrication and its role in advancing architectural and industrial design practices. While the installation had a designated scale and dimension, the developed system has the ability to grow much larger and wider depending on the availability of resources and materials. The form of the design can likewise be readily adjusted to suit the conditions and contextual requirements of various spaces and environments. The scalability of the joint system and design together creates a truly parametric system in which its use is not only for aesthetics, but for construction, functionality, and comfort as well.

With an intent to be a truly interactive design, Polymorphic’s transforming shape consists of six programs and an occupiable interior. These functions allow for new means of interaction, breaking away from the typical uses of a “bench”. From the cave to the surfboard, users are encouraged to sit, lounge, climb, jump, rock, or push the installation.

Two simple connections not only provide the stability of the bench, but moderate the movement of each individual section as it reacts to applied forces. The first is a sliding bolt connection, which acts as a restraint between sections, controlling the displacement allowed to be carried over from adjacent sections. The second is an elastic connection, which is a typical rubber band that gives the bench its “springy” quality while providing lateral stability to the installation as a whole.

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